Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-12-06
THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
CONTINUED from Second Puge.I

there arr DO serious obstacles toward the accom-
pllshment OF the purpose. Throughout the
lrreater n JrtIOn OF the route 10 Is probably not
needfu! 10 secure more than width OF 90 or 100
feet for the driveway.
az present almost entirely uninproved and In
great part heavily wooded. lying between Piney
Eranch On the south, 18th street road on the east
huftary road the north, and Broad Branch
road and Rock creek on the west presents itself
as naturally adapted Tor the purpose in question:
II this suggestion. however, Is 10 be acted upon
and the lands procured at a reasonable valuation.
Ar would be neeful TO take steps 90 condemn them
at an early day before the subdivision OF any
siderable portion OF the area should enhance
values and make prices prohibitory The area in
question encioses about $50 acres OF great natural
OF park little more need be done than TO main
tain the existing roads with some additions. and
TO open Bride paths and footways- This land at
the present time Is valued upon the books OF the
assessor a: about f116 100.
IL Is proper 70 invite attention TO some uncer-
tsnty OF jurisdiction over the public spaces formed
BY street Intersections In many cases these have
ben heretofore improved and cared for (embel-
nsneI with turf and plants and suitably enclosed
win low Chain ana pipe fences) under the dfrec-
ton OF the onnce.Of Public Buildings ana Grounds
Inc advantages OF this arrangement and the
saving OF expense TO the District have been &C
cepted by the District authorities but In several
instances the enclosing OF the space has been at
the cost OF undul, narrowing the passageway even
70 the complete obiteration OF the footway, as on
Massachusetts, avenue
In other cases II has been needful to extend or
enclosures OF these so-caIled reservations where
they overiapped the sidewalks and parking, and
embarrassment has ensued from the lack OF recog-
Missed distinction between their character as legal
government reservations and public street spaces
under control OF the Commissioners.
IL Is desirable that an authoritative decision be
had as 70 the jurisdiction over these areas
BKIpGEs.
The means OF communication across streams
within the District and adjacent thereto are far
from satisfactory.
Long Bridge Is practically In the control OF the
Baltimore and Potomac Railroad, and is an IN
slightly wooden structure with limited spans and
head room. which the frequent passage OF trains
renders practically useless for otner than such
animals a. do not object 10 the immediate vicinity
OF the cars and locomotives
In view OF the necessity for some means OF transit
across the Potomac, the pres Mt location OF the
bridge cannot be changed without radical atera-
ton % the lines OF railway which now connect
with II; but II the existing arrangements are 10
continue. the controlling companies should be re-
CURED 10 replace II with a bridge of better con-
ftrucicn more durable material, and greater span
and elevation over the navigable channels.
The old Aqut duct bridge, connecting georgetown
with virginia was found To have reached such
~ OF dilspidation and decay to be dangerous
60 the public. Advantage was taken of the burst
Ing OF The canal aqaeduct and the consequent
emptying % the trunk to make a careful examina-
ton, which revealed a condition OF affairs render
Ing Il incumben, upon the Commissioners 10 close
the bridge 10 traffic Appropriation for the recon-
structiOn OF the bridge as an iron structure has
since been made by Congress, and the work Is now
proeeeding under the direction OF the War Depart
ment OF the General Government
The Anscostia or Navy Yard bridge across the
Eastern Branch Is insufficient either In strength
or dimensions for public convenience or traffic.
while 1t may answer for some time to come IL
Will ultimately be desirable TO widen and
prSog BE- g
considerable portion Of It as an embankment or
causeway.
tract, and It's construction has been commenced
under the same direction as the Aqueduct
bridge
Bennings bridge is a wooden structure, which
may be regarded as answering present require
ments In connection with the Improvement OF
through the marshes has been raised and widened,
and macadam roadway constructed upon It.
ss e9nd a,u Q. Ihe four bridges across Rock
factory and their reconstruction will presently De
neeiful with greater dimensions and stability
proper an iron bridge was built at the ford where
the klinyle branch OF the Pierce's Mill road from
Mount Pheasant reaches the junction on the west
ern shore OF the creek OF the klinge road and the
NOurse road, the former Leading TO WoOdiey
lane. the latter 10 the Tennallytown road
The Woodley bridge crosses the creek at such q
low elevation rs TO make excessive slopes to and
from II, ana the Commissioners have submitted an
estimate for It's reconstruction az greater height
structure, requiring frequent repair and will need
10 b. replaced In the near future.
HARBoR FRONT.
The limited appropriation OF &, 500 made In last
appropriation act 70 cover the improvement and
protection Of the harbor and river front, the en-
fOrcement OF laws and inspection Of the construc-
ton and maintenance OF wbarveS and buildings,
made inpracticaole 10 undertake any serious
The question In issue TO the title to, and owner
ship OF. a large portion OF the harbor frontage,
OF II. has post poned the consideration Of plans
Among the principal items OF expenditure, were
adequate Iands appropriated by Congress, would
wharyes and the procurement OF a harbor boat 10
aid the police and fire departments In the dis
change OF their respective duties and TO be con-
structed as 10 be capable OF use when necessary
Tor the breaking OF Ice TO clear the harbor or pre-
The Commissioners are OF opinion that so soon
as these matters can be attended 10 without en-
b0rassment or sacrifice OF other considerations
the preparation Of a suitable code OF harbor regu-
tons, which are now entirely wanting.
STEAM RAILROADS AND STREET RAILROADS.
With reference TO the subject OF steam railroads
attention Is invited TO the report by the Commits
sioners under date OF November Is addressed to
the senate committee. The views therein formu-
lated were carefully considered and are believed TO
be IN effect both In the interests Of the public and
OF the corporations themselves, and IL is earnestly
hoped that Congress VIII make at the ensuing ses-
sion some final adjustment OF this vexed and vex-
atiols question and 50 define the limits and
privileges OF the roads shall relieve the public
OF the present very serious disadvantages and
property interests OF great value OF onerous and
With reference 10 the granting and extension of
franchises for street railroads. the Commissioners
are OF opinion that provision should be made for
cenfage OF the gross receipts as Congress should
deem equitable, AMI recommend that the consti-
tuted author ties Of the District be given co0n1-
lance and supervision OF the operations OF the
companies and due means OF enforcement OF their
legal obligations and duties toward the public.
80 Tar as the obstruction TO streets due the
fstence OF street railway tracks Is concerned, the
Commissioners believe that the companies should
D. compelled 10 abandon the use OF cooble-stones
and make provision for q proper rail ana proper
pavement between them, and that no more than
TWO tracks should be laid In any street for the
common Use VI such companies as are authorized
% occupy sad street
Means should also be taken 70 remedy The
crowded c0nItiOn OF 18th street between New
YORK anu Penhsylyanla a enueS In the vicinity OF
the Treasury. Unless this street Il 70 be widened
the NasAingtOnand Georgetown Railway should
Do Te4uircu 70 fmOye Its tracks and lay them
either upon lftn street or the road passing
the Treasury on the west and south. The Metro
pontan ROid shDul, De required 10 abandon the use
one-horse ears without conductors on its main
the, and 10 remove Is stables from their present
Dsiti0n on i street Wst Of the bridge 20 some less
Objectionable location
TIE BClLDSG INSPECTOR
The report OF the ouiRing inspector shows the
reat increase which Ia. taken place, especially
uain the last two year. In the duties and re-
ao.sibilities u his Office.
Its estimated that theyaluations OF buildings
fsrushed 70 the lnspectOrNt the time OF Obtain
Ia Permits for cOnstTtlctio are On the average
aDou IS per cent OF the actal value and where's
tie Pports for the fiscal yea ending June 30 lsssj
sLOVed a construction accOJlt OF about A., 200 OOO
.F not inn IN